Nikon Announces New 50mm F/1.4 Lens

We received Nikon’s latest news release announcing the launch of the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G lens…

Cologne, Photokina 2008 Nikon Europe is pleased to announce the introduction of a new wide aperture fixed-focal length NIKKOR lens, the 50-mm AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G. This lens has a fast maximum aperture of f/1.4 respectively for a bright viewfinder experience, beautiful background blur with shallow depth of field.

It also incorporates Nikons ultra-compact Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ring-type for silent, fast and accurate focusing and enables autofocus in cameras without a built-in motor such as the Nikon D40 and Nikon D60.
The AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G lens is a fast, fixed focal-length lens with normal picture angle when used with Nikons FX-format D-SLR cameras. Its newly developed optical system delivers high performance, as it efficiently corrects sagittal coma flare and chromatic aberration.

The SWM ring type offers smooth and quiet AF operation. Although all lens groups shift during focusing, the front element and filter mount does not rotate and the barrel length does not change, ideal for close-up photography or when using SB-R200 Wireless Remote Speedlight units.

The AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G has two focus modes, M/A (manual-priority autofocus) and M (manual focus). With its rounded nine-blade diaphragm, out-of-focus elements appear more natural. When mounted on a DX-format SLR, the picture angle is equivalent to a focal length of about 75mm in 35mm format.

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I would like to see the build quality to compare it to my Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D AF lens. You can pickup a mint AF-D version for much less than the new AF-S lens. But it does look tempting. Maybe I need them both. 🙂

I would like to see the build quality to compare it to my Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 D AF lens. You can pickup a mint AF-D version for much less than the new AF-S lens. But it does look tempting. Maybe I need them both. 🙂

@Rick Huizinga: The Sigma equivalent [for a DX-sensor] would actually be the Sigma 30mm AF-S which is similarly priced to this lens. The Sigma 50mm AF-S is around $500, but I expect that will drop right quick-like when the Nikon 50mm becomes available. So while this is a great move for Nikon, especially because the D700 is full-frame, I still would go with my Sigma 30mm if I had it to do over. That said, a 50mm (80mm on DX-sensor) would still make a great addition to my bag, and if price is similar, I’d go Nikon over third-party.

AF-S on the smaller/consumer bodies seems to be a great way for Nikon to sell new versions of lenses with motor built-in. That’s one purchase I would have made differently had I realized earlier that old lenses would be manual-focus only…

@Rick Huizinga: The Sigma equivalent [for a DX-sensor] would actually be the Sigma 30mm AF-S which is similarly priced to this lens. The Sigma 50mm AF-S is around $500, but I expect that will drop right quick-like when the Nikon 50mm becomes available. So while this is a great move for Nikon, especially because the D700 is full-frame, I still would go with my Sigma 30mm if I had it to do over. That said, a 50mm (80mm on DX-sensor) would still make a great addition to my bag, and if price is similar, I’d go Nikon over third-party.

AF-S on the smaller/consumer bodies seems to be a great way for Nikon to sell new versions of lenses with motor built-in. That’s one purchase I would have made differently had I realized earlier that old lenses would be manual-focus only…

Doesn’t this AF-S designation mean that it’s not going to use the whole frame on an FX sensor? Maybe this is a sign that Nikon isn’t going to quit the APS-C format any time soon, but that doesn’t help me if I’m looking to move up to an FX sensor eventually.

Doesn’t this AF-S designation mean that it’s not going to use the whole frame on an FX sensor? Maybe this is a sign that Nikon isn’t going to quit the APS-C format any time soon, but that doesn’t help me if I’m looking to move up to an FX sensor eventually.

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